Phylogenetic diversity scaling in small mammal communities: The example of Nizhny Novgorod region of the Volga Basin

Traditional approaches to structural analysis of biotic communities, based on the data on species abundances, do not take into account phylogenetic relationships between these species. We propose a new approach to studying the scaling (scale dependence) of phylogenetic diversity by means of multifractal analysis in which the moments of phylogenetic diversity are used. The results of applying this approach to small mammal communities of Nizhny Novgorod region of the Volga Basin has shown that phylogenetic diversity scaling complies with the power law, which is indicative of the self-similarity of these communities. The multifractal spectra of phylogenetic diversity scaling markedly differ from the spectra of species diversity scaling, providing evidence that the proposed approach can provide novel information on the structure of biotic communities.     

Changes in Species Diversity of Rove Beetles (Coleoptera,Staphylinidae) Depending on the Age of Pine Plantations in Central Belarus

Trends of changes in species richness and dominance in staphylinid communities depending on the age of pine plantations have been analyzed. The species richness of these communities is high in the plantations of age classes 1 and 2 (11 and 28 years, respectively) but decreases in the plantations of age class 3 (60 years). The highest and lowest indices of species diversity are observed in the plantations of age classes 2 and 3, respectively. Four groups of rove beetles have been distinguished by the criterion of their dominance in pine plantations of different ages.__________Translated from Ekologiya, No. 4, 2005, pp. 306–313.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Derunkov.     

Approaches to Quantitative Assessment of Biological Damage to Forest Communities under Technogenic Load

General trends in simplification of the structure and composition of forest communities in the zone of impact from the metallurgical industry are revealed. The load of toxicants is estimated from the concentrations of heavy metals in the snow and soil. The method is proposed for assessing biological damage on the basis of the main characteristics of phytocenosis, such as its species diversity and the cenotic significance of its structural components. The resultant integrated index of phytocenosis preservation (IIP _p) characterizes the degree of biological damage, and its value depends on the load of toxicants and resistance of plant communities characteristic of different natural zones.     

Parameters of Ecological Space and Floristic Diversity of Forest Formations in the Northeast of European Russia

The results of studies on transformations of the floristic diversity of forest ecosystems under the effect of human activity in the southern and middle taiga subzones of the Komi Republic are reviewed. It is shown that the change of dominants in the tree layer leads to the formation of specific biotopes and, as a consequence, to changes in floristic complexes and the cenotic roles of species in the lower layers of forest communities. In the study region, the -diversity of forest communities is determined mainly by two environmental factors: soil fertility and acidity. The factor of illumination has only a slight effect on the -diversity of taiga forests, which is especially clear in the group of deciduous forest formations.__________Translated from Ekologiya, No. 3, 2005, pp. 180–185.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Degteva.     

New Approaches to the Assessment of Structural Organization of Communities in Springtails (Hexapoda: Collembola)

Trends in the diversity of structural organization of soil animal communities are analyzed using an example of the taxocenes of springtails, small soil arthropods. Different methods for describing the structure of communities are considered. On the basis of parameters characterizing specialization and stability of communities, several patterns of their organization in springtails are distinguished. It is shown that the new approach offers new opportunities in forecasting community dynamics under the effects of natural and anthropogenic factors.     

Effects of acidification on aquatic ecosystems

Effects of acidification on aquatic ecosystems are analyzed on the basis of an analytical synopsis of relevant data. Major active agents influencing aquatic organisms and main trends in the reorganization of microbial, phyto- and zooplanktonic, benthic, and fish communities in an acidified environment are described. A generalized concept of changes in ecosystems caused by acid precipitation and accompanying factors is formulated. These changes include the reduction of biodiversity of all structural elements due to the disappearance of species sensitive to acidification, modification of trophic structure, and decrease of fish stock.Translated from Ekologiya, No. 2, 2005, pp. 110–119.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Moiseenko.     

Effect of ecotopic factors and nature resource use on the diversity of forest communities in northern Kostroma oblast

The results of studies on southern taiga forests in northern Kostroma oblast are presented. They include the typing of old-growth forests, their phytocenotic and ecological characterization, and assessment of their structural and species diversity, successional status, and degree of anthropogenic disturbance. Geomorphological features of the study area and parameters of soils under plant communities of different forest type groups are described. On the basis of generalization of available data, conclusions were drawn concerning specific features of the structure and species diversity of forest communities in different ecotopes and at different stages of succession.     

Analysis of trends in the formation of species richness of plant communities using syntaxonomy and ecological scales

On the basis of syntaxonomy of primary forests in the Southern Ural region, an analysis of trends in the formation of their species diversity has been performed in regard to heat supply, soil moisture, and general soil richness. The roles of environmental factors have been estimated using Landolt’s scales. The results have shown that communities of forest classes Querco-Fagetea, Brachypodio-Betuletea, and Vaccinio-Piceetea differ in the trends of changes in species richness along gradients of the above factors. In communities of all these classes, species richness depends primarily on heat supply, with soil richness being the second most important factor.     

Relationship between the Biodiversity of phyto- and zoobenthos in the continuum of the model mountain river Komarovka (Primorye,Russia)

The structure of benthic communities was studied in the continuum of the model mountain river Komarovka, which flows in the conifer-broadleaf forest subzone in the southwest of the Silkhote-Alin Mountain Range (Primorye, Russia). The lowest species diversity of phyto- and zoobenthos was recorded in the upper reaches of the river, in a heterotrophic area; the highest species diversity, in the central part of autotrophic area. At the same time, the Shannon index for algal communities had the highest values in the heterotrophic area, while that for bottom invertebrate communities, within the autotrophic area. Thus, the increase in invertebrate species diversity in the river continuum was accompanied by complication of the structure of zoobenthos, while the increase in the taxonomic diversity of phytobenthos took place against the background of increasing dominance of a few algal species.     

Structure of the communities of small mammals (micromammalia) in forests on western slopes of the Northern Urals

Long-term data on the species composition and ratio of insectivores and rodents in forest ecosystems of the western macroslope of the Northern Urals are considered. It is shown that the micromammalian communities of mountain forests are characterized by higher total abundance and polydominance and comprise greater numbers of common species than the communities of taiga forests in neighboring regions of the Russian Plain. Hence, the mountain-forest communities of small mammals have high indices of species diversity and uniformity.Translated from Ekologiya, No. 2, 2005, pp. 138–145.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Bobretsov, Lukyanova, Poroshin.     

Biodiversity of plants and soils in landscapes adjacent to the Buzuluk Pine Forest

The influence of the Buzuluk Pine Forest on biodiversity of plants and soil properties in adjacent territories has been studied. The results show that in the immediate vicinity of the pine forest, under the influence of the relatively mild and humid mesoclimate, natural phytocenoses are dominated by mesophytic species. Biodiversity reaches a peak at a distance of 17–18 km from the forest, which is explained by the presence of both mesophytes and xerophytes in the same phytocenosis. The same zone is also characterized by the maximum diversity of soil properties and structural complexity of the soil cover. Grass communities on ordinary chernozems with a homogeneous soil cover, typical of the steppe zone, are formed at greater distances from the forest.     

Specific Structural Features of Zooplankton in Lakes Differing in Trophic Status: Species Populations

The index of cenotic significance and other indices calculated on its basis were used for revealing specific structural features of zooplanktonic communities in lakes differing in productivity. The results showed that new indices (complexity coefficient, index of cenotic significance of dominant species, and integrated cenotic significance of the zooplankton) strongly correlate with the trophic status of the water body and are more responsive to changes in the structure of the community than the Shannon–Weaver index of species diversity. The results confirm the hypothesis that the structure of zooplankton is simplified in the course of lake eutrophication.     

Characteristics of soil nematode communities under conditions of woody plant introduction

Nematode communities in the rooted soil layer under the crowns of introduced tree species on Valaam Island (Republic of Karelia) have been studied by conventional nematological methods to evaluate their taxonomic diversity, population density, and eco-trophic structure. On the whole, 49 nematode genera have been recorded, with their total abundance varying from 1209 to 2548 ind./100 g soil. The abundance and proportion of plant parasites in the soil nematode assemblage have proved to be higher under introduced trees, compared to natural forest biocenoses.     

Abundance and community structure of bats (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) hibernating in artificial caves of Samarskaya Luka

The structure of hibernating bat communities has been studied in eight artificial caves of Samarskaya Luka differing in size and layout. Three types of the relative abundance distribution (RAD) of species in these communities have been revealed. Conditions for hibernation are most favorable in large caves with a stable microclimate, where the abundance of bats is high, the Shannon index has the peak values, and variation in the index of species evenness is the lowest. In such caves, RAD fits the broken-stick and log-series models. Variation in diversity indices reaches the highest level in shallow adits with a changeable microclimate, where RAD fits the geometric series model. The abundance, diversity, and structure of communities depend mainly on cave size and the presence of absence of drafts and, to a lesser extent, on ambient temperature, availability of microshelters, and the type of landscape surrounding the cave. Anthropogenic factors have a weak effect only on the abundance of individual species (M. nattereri, M. daubentonii, M. dasycneme, and E. nilssonii) but not on the overall diversity of bat communities.     

Composition of plant communities in natural and technogenically disturbed ecotopes on watersheds of the Yamal Peninsula: Floristic diversity

Specific features in the overgrowing of technogenically disturbed areas with completely destroyed soil and plant cover (a sand pit, a causeway, and an off-road vehicle trail) have been studied in the environs of the Bovanenkovo Oil-Gas Condensate Field. It is shown that the vegetation of natural ecotopes and ecotopes disturbed approximately 20 years ago is characterized by a relatively high similarity in the composition of vascular plants. The total species composition of plant communities (including mosses and lichens) and their structure show a considerable loss of floristic and phytocenotic diversity.     

Specific features of the oribatid fauna in high-mountain pine forests of the Eastern Caucasus in relation to altitudinal zonality

The abundance, structure, and distribution of oribatid communities in high-mountain pine forest biotopes of the Eastern Caucasus are described in dependence on elevation above sea level. The oribatid fauna of high-mountain pine forests proved to be characterized by high abundance, an assortment of dominants, and species richness. It was shown that, as the elevation increases, specific dominants typical of particular altitudinal zones appear in communities, and changes in the mass species occur. These species are stable in terms of their long-term dynamics, and zonal groups (communities) demonstrate a high species diversity.     

Species richness,structure, and conservation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nitraria retusa</Emphasis> communities in the coastal salt marshes of Kuwait

Although the coastal salt marshes of Arabian Gulf have been altered extensively by human development activities, there is a paucity of data describing changes in the distribution and abundance of native coastal plant communities. The main objectives of this study are to determine vegetation condition, size structure, and conservation status of Nitraria retusa, a medicinal and salt-tolerant shrub, in disturbed and non-disturbed coastal salt marshes of Kuwait. Size measurements of Nitraria shrubs and nabkas, which are mounds of sediment developed around shrubs, were carried out in 50 quadrats (20 × 20 m²), randomly selected inside and outside Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve. Species richness and soil properties of nabkas and interspaces, the open areas between the nabkas, were also measured. The results revealed that nabkas of Nitraria in non-disturbed sites are more stable and rich in plant diversity than those in disturbed sites. Mean height and mean canopy diameter of Nitraria shrubs, total plant cover, and species richness are significantly higher in non-disturbed sites than disturbed sites, which indicate the positive influences of conservation for long term on vegetation structure and species richness. The results of soil analyses indicate the important role of nabkas in providing refuges for plant life and species diversity. The present study indicates that more than 50 % of the N. retusa community has been lost during the last few decades. Therefore, N. retusa should be considered an endangered species in Kuwait. The reduction in vegetation cover, a decline in species richness, and the overall degradation of salt marshes are attributed to human development activities along the coast of Kuwait. Effective conservation actions for threatened species in degraded coastal salt marshes of this region include establishment of protective enclosures, prohibitions on development that adversely affects native plant communities, and the planting native salt-tolerant shrubs to facilitate regeneration.     

昆阳磷矿植被恢复地土壤肥力状况分析及评价

采用野外调查、室内分析并结合相关的方法,对昆阳磷矿人工林植被恢复样地土壤养分指标进行研究,以对矿区植被恢复地土壤肥力现状进行科学合理的评价。结果表明：矿区植被恢复地土壤的容重均小于18 g/cm,孔隙多,结构性较好,有益于植物的生长;植被恢复地土壤样本的有机质含量缺乏,全氮和碱解氮含量属于中等和较缺乏水平,全磷和有效磷、全钾和速效钾含量极为丰富。土壤有机质、有效磷,变异系数较大,分布不均匀,碱解氮、全氮、全磷、速效钾为中等变异的养分指标,变异系数相对小些,土壤中全钾呈弱变异,在土壤中的含量相对分布比较均匀。通过灰色关联度分析,得出研究区不同植被类型或不同年代组合恢复模式土壤肥力顺序为：2005年恢复的旱冬瓜+藏柏+麻栎林＞2006年恢复的旱冬瓜+藏柏+麻栎林＞2007年恢复的旱冬瓜+藏柏林＞平台覆土＞2005年恢复的旱冬瓜+藏柏林＞2005年恢复的旱冬瓜+藏柏+墨西哥柏林     

Soil-dwelling Collembola in coniferous forests along the gradient of pollution with emissions from the Middle Ural Copper Smelter

The results of three-year studies on Collembola communities in spruce-fir forests along the gradient of pollution with emissions from the Middle Ural Copper Smelter (Revda, Sverdlovsk oblast) are presented. They show that the species and ecological structure of these communities change abruptly in the impact zone (1 km from the source of emissions), compared to the background zone (30 km from the source), which involves a decrease in the abundance and diversity of Collembola. Their total abundance and species richness in the zone of intermediate disturbance (7 and 4 km) are considerably higher than in the background zone, and the species structure of communities is characterized by superdominance. Four species groups differing in sensitivity to pollution are distinguished. Preference for zones with different pollution levels in closely related species is regarded as a case of ecological vicariation.     

Specific Features of the Formation of Animal Species Communities in Technogenic and Urbanized Landscapes

The formation of the species composition and specific functional, physiological, and phenotypic features of populations in technogenic and urbanized areas was studied by analyzing murine rodents, amphibians, and soil invertebrates. It is shown that, against the background of decreasing total abundance and biomass of animals, their formerly continuous ranges become mosaic, with the locally increasing animal density and heterogeneity and specific population dynamics. Species diversity decreases; however, species alien to the natural ecosystems of the given territory appear. Changes in the strategies of reproduction and food resource use were revealed in the species communities of small mammals and amphibians.